Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40713833›Full record

ArticleWorld journal of emergency surgery : WJES2025

Lunch box and fruits as a simulator for teaching basic physics of ultrasound: A mixed research methods study.

Fikri M Abu-Zidan, Yousef F Abu-Zidan, Arif Alper Cevik

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in World journal of emergency surgery : WJES, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Fikri M Abu-ZidanDepartment of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. fabuzidan@uaeu.ac.ae.ORCID 0000-0003-0143-8568
Yousef F Abu-ZidanCivil and Infrastructure Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-3854-739X
Arif Alper CevikDepartment of Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine Section, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0000-0001-6691-6298

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo develop and evaluate a practical, low-cost ultrasound training simulator for teaching basic ultrasound physics and knobology, including probe orientation, tissue impedance, essential hand movements, and recognizing image artifacts while observing scanned objects.

methodsThe simulator consists of (1) one complete lemon, (2) half a lemon, (3) half a kiwi fruit, and (4) an avocado pit. These objects were secured inside a plastic box using screws, nails and double-sided foam tape, after which the box was filled with water. The estimated total cost was less than 15 US dollars. The simulator was prospectively tested to teach basic ultrasound physics during the period of 4th January 2021 till 14th October 2021 on 59 undergraduate junior surgical clerkship students, who had no prior exposure to ultrasound. Quantitative feedback was collected through a Likert-scale questionnaire evaluating educational value, skill acquisition, and user satisfaction. Qualitative data were obtained from open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative responses, while inductive thematic analysis was applied to qualitative comments.

results58 students filled the questionnaire (response rate of 98.3%), 57 of them (98.3%) recommended the simulator to peers, and all assessed items received the highest median rating (5 out of 5), including items assessing conceptual understanding, procedural skills, and enjoyment. Thematic analysis provided three major themes: Learning Enhancement, Engagement and Motivation, and Training Limitations. Students reported improved understanding of ultrasound physics, artifact recognition, and probe handling. The simulator was described as engaging and enjoyable, promoting self-directed learning. However, students noted limitations related to session duration, realism, and the need for additional practice opportunities.

conclusionThe proposed low-cost ultrasound simulator was highly rated for its educational value and engagement potential. Qualitative insights complemented these findings by revealing strong learner enthusiasm. Expanding session duration and increasing clinical fidelity may further enhance its utility.

Indexed as

Simulation TrainingTeachingAdultFemaleHumansMaleProspective StudiesSurveys and QuestionnairesUltrasonographyLearner engagementMedical studentsMixed-methodsSimulationSkill acquisitionSurgical clerkshipUltrasound education

Identifiers

PMID40713833
PMCPMC12291340

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.